Kazakhstan Repurposes Over 70 Hectares of Previous Nuclear Test Area for Industrial Development
A nuclear past meets a modern vision:
ASTANA - In a shift from its nuclear-testing past, the Kazakh government has green-lighted the handover of 71.37 hectares from the legacy lands of the old Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Abai Region for industrial, transport, and communications purposes. As per the online report on zakon.kz, this decision was sealed on March 27.
Take a glimpse at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site on this map. (Credit: Eskinder Debebe/UN)
The move transfers the land from reserve territories to lands designated for industry, transport, communications, space activities, defense, national security, nuclear safety zones, and other non-agricultural purposes.
Altyn Group Qazaqstan has secured temporary land use rights until the end of 2028. Their mission? To develop a rare earth element deposit within this perimeter. While they specialize in precious metal extraction, they are also required to make amends to the national budget due to the agricultural production losses incurred from the withdrawal of farmland not for agricultural purposes. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in London, they lead the charge for this developmental progress.
** digging deeper:**The Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, situated close to the city of Semey in the Abai Region, boasts a considerable nuclear legacy, courtesy of over four decades of Soviet nuclear testing between 1949 and 1989. Fast-forward to today, there's a buzz around potential nuclear energy and industrial advancements in Kazakhstan. However, specifics about repurposing the Semipalatinsk site for industrial, transport, or communications uses are scarce. Here are some insights that shed light on current and upcoming activities in the region and beyond:
Revamping Kazakhstan:1. Nuclear Energy: The nation is headstrong about expanding its nuclear energy sector, with plans for new power plants to account for 5% of the energy mix by 2035. A national referendum in October 2024 showed support for this vision [1][4].2. Semipalatinsk Test Site: Regrettably, the Semipalatinsk site is not earmarked for new nuclear power plant construction. Instead, a proposed plant will be stationed in the Zhambyl district of Almaty [4].3. Atomic Education: The nearby Kurchatov town—associated with nuclear-related activities—eyes the creation of a nuclear energy institute in collaboration with international partners [4].
A leap forward:4. Transport and Communications: As of now, updates on transport and communications infrastructure development at the former test site are not available. Instead, focus lies on broader national transportation and communication projects rather than site-specific developments.
Though Kazakhstan works relentlessly to bolster its nuclear energy sector, specific repurposing plans for the Semipalatinsk test site are yet to surface concerning industrial, transport, or communications uses. One major factor that might impact such plans is the site's environmental legacy.
In light of the advancing nuclear energy sector in Kazakhstan, the handover of a portion of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site may pave the way for industrial development, with Altyn Group Qazaqstan set to explore rare earth element deposits within the designated area. Meanwhile, the race for modern infrastructure, particularly transport and communications, appears to be progressing on a national level, rather than being site-specific at the Semipalatinsk test site.
As Altyn Group Qazaqstan delves into the extraction of rare earth elements, they are also obligated to contribute to the national budget due to agricultural production losses from withdrawing farmland for non-agricultural purposes, such as industry and finance. This move marks a significant step towards the integration of the former nuclear test site into the broader energy, industrial, and financial landscape of Kazakhstan.
